As for the screen, I agree it's not the right sort for that awesome fireplace. I'd talk to a local blacksmith and see if something more fitting to the design of the fireplace could be made. I'd envision something made to fit the actual opening like the first picture. Although I came across the second picture and thought the design was similar to the hardware on the large doors at various castles.

Just for comparison here's the actual iron bound gate at Dunster Castle from Wikipedia:

Wow Jessica!! Thank you so much for the research ~ how cool are the actual gates?!?! Excellent points about the screen!

I like your direction. Check out the website. You have infinite ideas. It seems you have very good taste. Just make sure that the theme is done subtly.

There is very good news for your lab: Dunster allows dogs.


http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle/

I don't think Margo's note idea is out of the question. You could do a pond with a bridge over it to the front door: instant mote.

It's certainly a conversation piece!

You could frame the two letters and hang them to the left of the FP - that would have the advantage of informing casual visitors who might think "wtf is that thing" as well as for the history of it all.

It's actually growing on me! As if that matters. But maybe CDR is thinking the right way - the screen and the tools are throwing it off.

I think perhaps a different color of paint on the walls might make it look less kitschy. The stark white is too much of a contrast. I might vote differently if I could do it again!

You're welcome Jackie Confer. I took a blacksmithing class for fun once so I had that and the background of my anglophile mother who loves castles to call upon. I think this room could be awesome with just a few hints to make the castle fit. Your sofa appears navy blue in the photos and that along with jewel tones of reds and greens would fit in with some of the beautiful romance style paintings of chivalry.

CDR Design's comment about Dunster allowing dogs made me think a nice set of dog andirons could work too.

Was the castle built by the house's owners or has it been moved from house to house?

I'd go with the Harry Potter figures for a year or so, why not, it's not as if "serious decor" critics are on the prowl. Good to keep a sense of humor. Interesting that it doesn't come apart; I wonder if it was originally meant to swing away from the wall-of-FDR for light bulb replacment and other services such as fireplace cleaning.

The fancy painted knight figures would be fun, too, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Schleich-Griffin-Knight-Action-Figure/dp/B00B1D7EB8/

You all are so awesome to help with this! Another thing I considered was to somehow change the castle color to sand and go for a subtle beachy theme.
The couches are black btw. I can't wait to start painting ~ all the bleh white is so draining.

Maybe a spotlight or two in recessed cans would make it look lighter and sandier. Any close-up photos? Is it stucco or little brick-lets?

Maybe Schleich Griffin has a mermaid.

I'd work with whatever color the castle actually is (now using colored lights in the windows could give you more choices) when choosing paint colors. If the fireplace is authentic then changing that in any way would be likely to ruin the historical value. You should be able to find a complimentary or contrasting color for it that will work with the present shade of the castle.

Okay. Seeing it in there with the rest of the room...I like it. I love the ideas of adding subtle castle themes like the art Jessica posted as well as the second screen! I also would not change the color of the fireplace, it goes nicely with the flooring and trim.

Seeing it in the room also draws your eye to the incorrect screen because it so obviously is wrong.

Perhaps a few tapestry throw pillows would add a nice, but subtle, castle/ medieval touch.

It seems like you have given some thought about want to do with your new space. I think for something that is such a centerpiece you need to really love it and incorporate it into your design. If your not 100% crazy about it then it needs to go.
-Angeline, GKB

It is hideous. Take a photo and frame THAT and the rejection letter. - which will be a fine conversation piece. Don't let someone else's dream hold you hostage in your own home!

LOL gustaviatex!! Your comment cracked me up ~ I appreciate the brutal honesty. :-)

So, if FDR turned it down, I wonder how the previous owner came to own it?

I wonder the same thing! I think our house was built in 1952 so the castle must have traveled a bit before ending up here. The maker, William De Petris, Esq. lived just a few miles away. I have been trying to figure it out. :-)

Couldn't you donate it to ,to,someone?.....

Antiques Roadshow? Or the Pawn shop?

OMG I can't believe I'm saying this... It's growing on me too. Such a cool conversation piece. It's quirky and obviously unique so for that reason I wouldn't turf it if you are on the fence. Unless of course you absolutely hate it and don't want to live with it.

If it can't be removed to another room like a den/ office without damaging it as you mentioned may be the case I... I would consider.... No I just can't say the words.

But if you do keep it I wouldn't alter it as it would probably devalue it.

Jackie, I say, for now I would keep it and see if you can make it work (unless you hate it.....which I am getting the idea you don't hate it.....just aren't sure it will work for you).

Question: will there be a tv in the room? If so, where will you put it with the wall down?

I think Jessica's ideas are fun! Why not embrace it? It has historical value, and value as a conversation piece too. If I am correct in inferring you have little guys in the house (Legos?) it could be educational as well. :)

Honestly, to me, it looks stark with the white walls. The wall with the fireplace needs something...a sandier color, so it blends in? Maybe built-in bookcases with gargoyle bookends and lots of leather bound books, for a library look or lego storage? Tapestries hanging on either side or above to warm it up?

Or have a woodsy scene painted as a mural surrounding it for context? Like this?

One thought that keeps occurring to me...and I mean this in a good way...it's a great start to a very cool party room for Halloween...what a fun thing to have for kids! So much better than a cookie cutter fireplace... :)

Since you are opening up the room to the kitchen, make sure you incorporate elements of the castle, oh so subtly, in the kitchen. The eye likes just the right balance of repetition.

Ideas would be dental molding, perhaps arches in cabinet doors, brick, etc.

I know you want to get the artwork out of the boxes, but hanging it on the wall is blocking your vision of the possibilities for the room.

I love it!! So unique and lots you can do with it!!

I don't see anything in your idea books that says medieval decor. So unless that is you and you go to renaissance festivals in costume I would say don't spend money decorating around this. Either ignore it or rip it out. You might keep it for a few years if your boys like it but I see you as contemporary or transitional from your furniture and idea books. Of course you could do this http://houzz.com/photos/4382480. :)

http://houzz.com/photos/4382480

Donate it to a museum and put in what you want.

The thing is, she doesn't need to turn the whole room into a "theme." Just adding one or two cues, like pieces of art and maybe a couple of crewel embroidered pillows could make this castle feel at home. Include a tartan throw blanket, and add a coffee table book about castles or King Arthur and you're home free.

Exactly. Just because someone has a Steelers theme going on in their family room doesn't mean the whole house needs to be painted in the team colors. :)

I know, I know ... this is now an older thread. I'd have it removed, if at all humanly possible. It is a wonderful piece of history, etc. but, in the context of this room or any room other than a "theme" room, it looks so much like a "Barbie's dream castle" thing that I keep looking for the rest of the "toys" that would go with it. So, unless you want to turn this into the play room ... If removal is impossible, I would be tempted to box it in with a faux fireplace front. I doubt that that kind of a solution would still support wood burning, but it would support decorating to your own tastes.

How did I miss this thread? What a unique piece! As I read through all of the above just now, I was nearly at the end, thinking, how can no one have suggested a wall mural yet, but I see that rredpen beat me to it with that perfect example that's on a stair wall. If you were in my neighborhood I'd be first in line to paint it for you. But let me see if I can do so digitally, incorporating some of the suggestions so far, along with a fresh chrome and glass side table and light fixture to bring us back from going too far "Dowdy Abbey." This isn't the perfect mural -- I like rredpen's example better, but in a bit of a rush today...

Cursor over to enlarge and for wide view:

Still rushing around today, but here's a super quick beach version as I head out the door:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/156474500/beach-painting-beach-decor-whimsical?ref=sr_gallery_4&ga_search_query=beach+art&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

I'd put potted palms in the corners. Again, cursor over to enlarge:

Barnhart: Excellent lemonade!

Barnhart ~ WOW!! Amazing stuff!! Thank you so much for the ideas ~ love the beach scene idea! We still have yet to decide on it's fate though. It's likely the 1 interior wall is going to come down when we remodel. I think i want to make the fireplace wall our tv/entertainment system/fireplace wall. I wish it wasn't so darn tall!!!

This mantel is magnificent! it is also hideous... but in a good way. Anyone can have a boring old fireplace, but this is one heckuva conversation piece. Embrace it!

I have to cast my vote for getting rid of it. To me, it's just hideous and I wouldn't be able to deal with it in my house.

Have you obtained any information about its value yet?

Jackie, If you're new to houzz, you might not yet have encountered "Spoffie" the fireplace. When you have three hours (LOL), you might find reading his thread interesting. Start with the "Show 403 more comments..."
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/monster-of-a-fireplaceive-never-seen-anything-like-it-dsvw-vd~323878

Don't forget this one either: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/what-should-i-do-with-this-faux-fireplace-dsvw-vd~1273312

Barnhart and lessismore: I _am_ new to Houzz and hadn't seen those - BEST EVER!!! Thanks so much for posting!!

Jackie - if I were you, I'd go through the following steps:
1) get an appraisal
2) if worth a lot - seek a buyer, sell, and celebrate your windfall!
3) if not worth a lot - decorate or remove as you see fit unencumbered by worry about the value
4) if you keep it, ditch the kitschy sign and swap the green light for white. Agree with others to get a more tudor styled fitted screen.
Enjoy!!!

Keep it but “clean it up” do it does not look so busy- all white lights. Remove the fireplace set - get a screen that actually fits.

Id focus more on the furniture and other decor in the room to make it look pulled together. Start with a large rug.

Post photos of what hat you decide. Thanks

It needs to go. If it can be removed and repurposed I would start there. Or sell to someone who would appreciate it and its historic value.

Sell it for a pretty penny & put in a beautiful, current fireplace.

2014 post.

Jackie, as this old thread has popped up again, inquiring minds need to know...what did you decide? I did the above idea boards before going to Ireland in 2015, and it's like my first version was a premonition of that trip:)

(Photos from the trip and the board I sent before going. Must have been inspired by genetic memory;)

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